It's time. Time to declutter. This is not something that I'm good at. I'd be the first to admit it. But it's time.
Where to start . . . the job seems too overwhelming. Maybe that's why I never get going on this larger-than-life project. So I picked something small and manageable in a short amount of time.
The mission: the bathroom cabinet. Its size fit the bill: 13 x 17 x 3.75 inches; two glass shelves plus the bottom. How hard could this be?
All medicine with a past expiry date (all it all was expired!) went into a bag to bring to the pharmacy to be disposed of properly. I can't tell why I saved some of that stuff. I'm not a pill-popper and I'm not often sick, so the chances of my taking something long after it had been bought are very slim.
Next, I looked at all bath and beauty products. If the contents smelled like the plastic container, they went into the garbage. I tried to be ruthless, which wasn't easy for me. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give myself a 7.75.
I have a long way to go, but as they say, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. My new motto is Less is More. What a bright future!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Icing Sugar and Ants
Ants were a topic of discussion in the staff room today. Specifically, how to get rid of them from your lawn or garden. Maybe even from a picnic.
Icing sugar and borax. Nobody mentioned the specific quantities of these two ingredients, but it was determined that this solution would be cheaper than cornmeal, another much-touted natural method of ant extermination.
Someone even knew where to find the borax--on the bottom shelf at Safeway, one of the local grocery stores. When this was voiced, another woman and I, as if reading from a teleprompter, both piped up in unison: "Twenty Mule Team Borax."
We both laughed; she said, "We're dating ourselves here."
I remember a black and white television ad, with a wagon train pulled by two lines of mules (no doubt ten to a line, although I don't remember ever counting to make sure). The company that made this brand of laundry booster sponsored that great old western, "Death Valley Days."
Now, it just sponsors Death Valley Days for the ants.
Icing sugar and borax. Nobody mentioned the specific quantities of these two ingredients, but it was determined that this solution would be cheaper than cornmeal, another much-touted natural method of ant extermination.
Someone even knew where to find the borax--on the bottom shelf at Safeway, one of the local grocery stores. When this was voiced, another woman and I, as if reading from a teleprompter, both piped up in unison: "Twenty Mule Team Borax."
We both laughed; she said, "We're dating ourselves here."
I remember a black and white television ad, with a wagon train pulled by two lines of mules (no doubt ten to a line, although I don't remember ever counting to make sure). The company that made this brand of laundry booster sponsored that great old western, "Death Valley Days."
Now, it just sponsors Death Valley Days for the ants.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Yesterday, when talking with my grandchildren about Mother's Day, they asked a logical question: is there a Children's Day? I laughed and said that "everyday is Children's Day!" In North American culture, I think this is pretty true, but today is a day set aside specifically to honour mothers.
The ancient Israelites were admonished--no, commanded: "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12). Paul brings this forward to the New Testament church in Ephesians 6:2-3) when he emphasizes the promise attached to the commandment: "'Honour your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'"
Of course, in those times, there was no special day on which people honoured their mother; it was a year-round thing! It was an attitude and it was action.
What about today? The telephone company statistics tell us that more long-distance phone calls are made on Mother's Day than on any other day of the year, even Christmas. Flowers are bought and delivered. Family dinners are prepared, or Mom is given a day off from cooking dinner and washing dishes because her family takes her out to dinner. If they can't afford to go out, the kids will make her "breakfast in bed." When I was a kid, this event was tolerated with great affection and appreciation, and I can tell you from personal experience that crumbs in the bed are easily disposed of.
My mother passed away several years ago, but today I think of her. I think of her kindness, her creativity, her selflessness. I think of her strength, her determination, her stick-to-it-iveness. Of course, I think of her love. Her love to her family, her love to my sisters, her love to me.
With these thoughts in mind, I wish "Happy Mother's Day" to my daughter, who is a great mother to my grandchildren. She is carrying on in my mother's footsteps.
To all my friends who are mothers, I wish a Happy Mother's Day. May your "children rise up and call [you] blessed" (Proverbs 31:28).
The photos here are pictures of my mother when she was young. She was beautiful, and still is in my eyes.
The ancient Israelites were admonished--no, commanded: "Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12). Paul brings this forward to the New Testament church in Ephesians 6:2-3) when he emphasizes the promise attached to the commandment: "'Honour your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'"
Of course, in those times, there was no special day on which people honoured their mother; it was a year-round thing! It was an attitude and it was action.
What about today? The telephone company statistics tell us that more long-distance phone calls are made on Mother's Day than on any other day of the year, even Christmas. Flowers are bought and delivered. Family dinners are prepared, or Mom is given a day off from cooking dinner and washing dishes because her family takes her out to dinner. If they can't afford to go out, the kids will make her "breakfast in bed." When I was a kid, this event was tolerated with great affection and appreciation, and I can tell you from personal experience that crumbs in the bed are easily disposed of.
My mother passed away several years ago, but today I think of her. I think of her kindness, her creativity, her selflessness. I think of her strength, her determination, her stick-to-it-iveness. Of course, I think of her love. Her love to her family, her love to my sisters, her love to me.
With these thoughts in mind, I wish "Happy Mother's Day" to my daughter, who is a great mother to my grandchildren. She is carrying on in my mother's footsteps.
To all my friends who are mothers, I wish a Happy Mother's Day. May your "children rise up and call [you] blessed" (Proverbs 31:28).
The photos here are pictures of my mother when she was young. She was beautiful, and still is in my eyes.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lights are Still On!
I went by the bank corner [see yesterday's blog post] this morning. The lights were still on.
I'll be writing a polite note to the occupants of those offices, just to let them know that people do notice and ethics are important.
I'll be writing a polite note to the occupants of those offices, just to let them know that people do notice and ethics are important.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Earth Hour 2011
I've just returned from the Earth Hour event organized by NEAT, the local environmental action and awareness team. It was an evening of live music, chatting, visiting, coffee, and tea--and let's not forget those eco-tinis that were included in the ticket price.
From 8:30 to 9:30, all the lights were turned off in the cafe. Small "fake" candles on each of the tables provided . . . fake light. It was pleasant. The singing was sweet; the audience was happy to be there.
The inside of the cafe was also lit by the ambient street corner light from outside. So here we were in the dark, conscious of people everywhere taking part in the same ritual, mindful of the theme of this year's campaign: Beyond the Hour. We were encouraged to think of how we could make Earth Hour "last longer" by coming up with new ways to save energy in our homes on a daily basis, and not think that because we attended the Earth Hour event, we had done our duty and our part in saving the planet.
The singer, standing at the mike in the dark, drew our attention to what she saw outside across the street: the brightly lit sign of a bank. As I looked out the window at the red and yellow sign, I noticed that two of the offices on the second floor of the building next to the bank were ablaze with lights.
These were Law Offices: the lights were on, but nobody was home, as the saying goes.
Perhaps lawyers don't notice how much electricity costs because they don't have to notice--unlike the rest of us, who scrutinize our hydro bills and try to figure out what we can turn off to bring the bill down.
A few people gathered in a cafe in the dark for an hour can't save the world.
Everybody needs to do his or her part. Even lawyers.
From 8:30 to 9:30, all the lights were turned off in the cafe. Small "fake" candles on each of the tables provided . . . fake light. It was pleasant. The singing was sweet; the audience was happy to be there.
The inside of the cafe was also lit by the ambient street corner light from outside. So here we were in the dark, conscious of people everywhere taking part in the same ritual, mindful of the theme of this year's campaign: Beyond the Hour. We were encouraged to think of how we could make Earth Hour "last longer" by coming up with new ways to save energy in our homes on a daily basis, and not think that because we attended the Earth Hour event, we had done our duty and our part in saving the planet.
The singer, standing at the mike in the dark, drew our attention to what she saw outside across the street: the brightly lit sign of a bank. As I looked out the window at the red and yellow sign, I noticed that two of the offices on the second floor of the building next to the bank were ablaze with lights.
These were Law Offices: the lights were on, but nobody was home, as the saying goes.
Perhaps lawyers don't notice how much electricity costs because they don't have to notice--unlike the rest of us, who scrutinize our hydro bills and try to figure out what we can turn off to bring the bill down.
A few people gathered in a cafe in the dark for an hour can't save the world.
Everybody needs to do his or her part. Even lawyers.
Monday, March 21, 2011
I've Always Resisted, but Now, I've Relented!
I've always resisted reading C.S. Lewis. This is a bit odd because many of the people I know rave about him, maybe even idolize him a bit. Come to think of it, perhaps that's the exact reason I've resisted taking him up.
Recently, a few free books were put out on the back table at church, and I picked up a copy of Mere Christianity by Lewis. Not at all attacted to his books in the fantasy genre, which the whole world has gone ga-ga over, I thought I'd make a modest start.
It's not a long book, and I read it over the course of a week. The introduction explains that what appears in the chapters of the book was originally given radio addresses to the British people during the dark days of World War Two. It was Lewis trying to make some sense of his particular moment in history.
I admit it: I was so pleasantly surprised. Here was a man who was talking to his readers in a friendly tone, asking questions about Christianity and giving answers from his head and his heart. He anticipates many questions that his readers might ask and calmly answers them, yet does not evade the difficult answers.
Considering the state of the evangelical church today, I read his book with great interest. He was so sensible yet unwavering in his explanation of the tough questions.
A convert to C.S. Lewis? I wouldn't quite describe myself that way. Let's just say I've made a start. I'll be contemplating some of his thoughts and ideas over the next little while here at the-sheepcote.blogspot.com.
What about you? What's your experience with C.S. Lewis? Have you read Mere Christianity? What about the Narnia series?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment!
Recently, a few free books were put out on the back table at church, and I picked up a copy of Mere Christianity by Lewis. Not at all attacted to his books in the fantasy genre, which the whole world has gone ga-ga over, I thought I'd make a modest start.
It's not a long book, and I read it over the course of a week. The introduction explains that what appears in the chapters of the book was originally given radio addresses to the British people during the dark days of World War Two. It was Lewis trying to make some sense of his particular moment in history.
I admit it: I was so pleasantly surprised. Here was a man who was talking to his readers in a friendly tone, asking questions about Christianity and giving answers from his head and his heart. He anticipates many questions that his readers might ask and calmly answers them, yet does not evade the difficult answers.
Considering the state of the evangelical church today, I read his book with great interest. He was so sensible yet unwavering in his explanation of the tough questions.
A convert to C.S. Lewis? I wouldn't quite describe myself that way. Let's just say I've made a start. I'll be contemplating some of his thoughts and ideas over the next little while here at the-sheepcote.blogspot.com.
What about you? What's your experience with C.S. Lewis? Have you read Mere Christianity? What about the Narnia series?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Who Do You Write Like?
Try this for fun: copy a few paragraphs from your blog or some other writing that you've done--fiction is best--into the dialog box at the following web site:
www.iwl.me
Click on the ANALYZE button, and presto! the program will analyze your writing and tell you who you write like.
As you can see, I've been analyzed.
I write like Kurt Vonnegut, famous and influential 20th century American writer. This didn't sound too bad, though I admit I had never read anything by him. So a few clicks on the keyboard and I brought up a few excerpts.
Hmm. What if I don't want to write like Kurt Vonnegut? I read some weird futuristic stuff, some stuff that was obviously influenced by his World War Two military service, and some stuff I just didn't get.
Maybe another piece of my writing would bring up another name. I found a story I had written back in my feminist awakening days and plugged it into the Analyzer at iwl.me. This time a new name that I had never heard before: Chuck Palahniuk. Okay, check him out. Wow, hmm, ooh, lots of police stories, prostitutes, drugs, awful things happening, blood, violence, etc., etc. Certainly not my first pick for curling up on the couch on a winter's eve for an engrossing read.
Anyway, today I went to the public library and took out three of Palahniuk's novels. The dust jacket of one of his books tells me that his books are "generation-defining" (another Douglas Coupland?) and that he's sold more than three million copies of his novels. Okay, maybe I should reconsider. Who wouldn't like that to be said about his or her writing?
I also took out Vonnegut's Bagombo Snuff Box. It's a collection of his uncollected short fiction (that means previously unpublished in book form). I've sat here for the last hour reading four short stories, totally engrossed in the author's craft. Now I see why he's counted as one of the recent American greats.
I've changed my mind. I'll wear the Kurt Vonnegut badge.
Maybe I should give Palahniuk another chance. I think I'll check out his non-fiction.
www.iwl.me
Click on the ANALYZE button, and presto! the program will analyze your writing and tell you who you write like.
As you can see, I've been analyzed.
I write like Kurt Vonnegut, famous and influential 20th century American writer. This didn't sound too bad, though I admit I had never read anything by him. So a few clicks on the keyboard and I brought up a few excerpts.
Hmm. What if I don't want to write like Kurt Vonnegut? I read some weird futuristic stuff, some stuff that was obviously influenced by his World War Two military service, and some stuff I just didn't get.
Maybe another piece of my writing would bring up another name. I found a story I had written back in my feminist awakening days and plugged it into the Analyzer at iwl.me. This time a new name that I had never heard before: Chuck Palahniuk. Okay, check him out. Wow, hmm, ooh, lots of police stories, prostitutes, drugs, awful things happening, blood, violence, etc., etc. Certainly not my first pick for curling up on the couch on a winter's eve for an engrossing read.
Anyway, today I went to the public library and took out three of Palahniuk's novels. The dust jacket of one of his books tells me that his books are "generation-defining" (another Douglas Coupland?) and that he's sold more than three million copies of his novels. Okay, maybe I should reconsider. Who wouldn't like that to be said about his or her writing?
I also took out Vonnegut's Bagombo Snuff Box. It's a collection of his uncollected short fiction (that means previously unpublished in book form). I've sat here for the last hour reading four short stories, totally engrossed in the author's craft. Now I see why he's counted as one of the recent American greats.
I've changed my mind. I'll wear the Kurt Vonnegut badge.
Maybe I should give Palahniuk another chance. I think I'll check out his non-fiction.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Strange Photo Caption
When the local weekly newspaper arrives in my mailbox, I glance through the ads, recycle them, and then browse through the paper, reading the articles that interest me. I like to keep up with what's happening in town.
Today, my attention was arrested by a caption under a photo of a happy looking older man and woman, sitting on a bench, obviously enjoying each other's company, a fine summer day, and a moment of laughter.
Nothing unusual in that, I suppose. What was strange was the caption: "As more and more Canadians reach 'baby boomer' status, society and business alike will feel the impact."
I wasn't aware that "baby boomer status" was something one "reached." Either you are a baby boomer or you're not. If you were born between 1946 and 1966 (the usual dates given), you are one.
I was also unaware that people were still being added to the ranks of baby boomers, but according to the photo caption, "more and more Canadians" are.
Although baby boomers represent almost a third of the Canadian population, apparently there are still not enough of us.
Today, my attention was arrested by a caption under a photo of a happy looking older man and woman, sitting on a bench, obviously enjoying each other's company, a fine summer day, and a moment of laughter.
Nothing unusual in that, I suppose. What was strange was the caption: "As more and more Canadians reach 'baby boomer' status, society and business alike will feel the impact."
I wasn't aware that "baby boomer status" was something one "reached." Either you are a baby boomer or you're not. If you were born between 1946 and 1966 (the usual dates given), you are one.
I was also unaware that people were still being added to the ranks of baby boomers, but according to the photo caption, "more and more Canadians" are.
Although baby boomers represent almost a third of the Canadian population, apparently there are still not enough of us.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Check-up!
I know it's only three days into the new year, but maybe it's a good time for a check-up to see how I'm doing on my resolutions. The one I'm interested in today is "Live Lean." Hmm. One trip to the grocery store and I've missed the mark already.
After a day at the toboggan hill, I invited my family over for soup for supper. I knew just what I wanted to make. O'Charley's Potato Soup. The only problem was that I didn't have even one of the ingredients I needed, not even the potatoes. I made a list and headed off to the store. A quick buzz around the aisles, and $41.17 later, I was ready to make that soup.
$41.17!!!! I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking exactly the same thing. That's a pretty expensive pot of soup. Six of us ate, so if we do the math, as they say, that works out to $6.86 a bowl. Well, that's not quite right because there was some left over, which I sent home with my family. So maybe they'll get tomorrow's lunch out of it, for four people. So that brings the price per bowl down to about $4.12 a bowl.
We had sandwiches on crusty buns with sliced sandwich meat, ham and summer sausage (some of which is also left over). Oh, and I have two 500 gram packages of bacon in my freezer (a three-pack, one of which I used for the soup, for $9.99).
Still, at the check-out, $41.17 didn't seem to be very lean.
After a day at the toboggan hill, I invited my family over for soup for supper. I knew just what I wanted to make. O'Charley's Potato Soup. The only problem was that I didn't have even one of the ingredients I needed, not even the potatoes. I made a list and headed off to the store. A quick buzz around the aisles, and $41.17 later, I was ready to make that soup.
$41.17!!!! I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking exactly the same thing. That's a pretty expensive pot of soup. Six of us ate, so if we do the math, as they say, that works out to $6.86 a bowl. Well, that's not quite right because there was some left over, which I sent home with my family. So maybe they'll get tomorrow's lunch out of it, for four people. So that brings the price per bowl down to about $4.12 a bowl.
We had sandwiches on crusty buns with sliced sandwich meat, ham and summer sausage (some of which is also left over). Oh, and I have two 500 gram packages of bacon in my freezer (a three-pack, one of which I used for the soup, for $9.99).
Still, at the check-out, $41.17 didn't seem to be very lean.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Is it Too Late for Resolutions?
I hope it's not too late to post my resolutions. Somehow, having them public seems to be a good thing. It makes me more accountable. At any time during the year, feel free to ask me how I'm doing on my resolutions. I've categorized them so it will be easier for me to keep track; as well, the list will be posted on my fridge.
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree
Read through the Bible at least once
Physical
Walk or bike to work
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing
Read more poetry
Write more on my blog
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers)
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously)
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree
Read through the Bible at least once
Physical
Walk or bike to work
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing
Read more poetry
Write more on my blog
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers)
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously)
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